Denting shoulders in the sizing die?

[artherd]

Just starting to reload some of my once-fired NORMA brass .338Lapua Mag. These are my first reloads in this new large caliber.

I screwed the die in at contact and then tightened it 1/8th of a turn more per SOP (new RCBS die, older RCBS press.)

The first 3 shells came out of the sizing die with dents in the shoulder. I backed off the die 1/16th turn, and the rest of the sizing went perfect.

What gives? Am I using too much lube, is 1/8th of a turn just too tight for the die?

 

[Chawbaccer]

My first thought would be the lube, but a couple questions. Did you clean the die good before using it? How about the vent hole, is it open?

 

[bogie]

How to properly set up a full-length sizing die for a precision rifle.

Get a bolt tool, and remove your firing pin.

Chamber a round of once fired. Feel the resistance?

Okay, with your sizing die out too much, use a little imperial die wax, and size the case. Try chambering it. No diff?

Now, try screwing in the die, little by little, until when you chamber the case all you get is a little resistance at the end of the bolt drop. Lock it down.

Benefits: Case longevity, and the accuracy benefits of neck sizing. I recommend dies which use a sizing donut over those which use a button that goes through the case mouth.

 

[ocabj]

Yes, it's most likely lube on the shoulder. If you are using a wax, just use a very thin film around the body and neck. A little goes a long way. Do not put lube on the shoulder.

 

[dodgestdshift]

Don't use too little lube. A stuck case is worse than oil dents.

 

[artherd]

Natch, first time I've gotten lube dents! Do I toss the shells or are the 1/8"x1/8" dents not a big deal and can be fire-formed back to normal during the next use? (this is once fired brass so it should still have 5 or so lives)

 

[dodgestdshift]

I have never had a problem with oil dents. I just load them and shoot them. Your 1/8 in. dents are a little wide, but I doubt that you have weakened the case too much. It's a tough call. Try them with the minimum load for that bullet, and when they shoot out, try a little less lube. Your best defense against stuck cases is the "feel" of the handle. If it starts to go in hard "STOP", remove the case and add lube.

I use the RCBS bottled lube. I put some on my fingers and lightly spread on the neck and shoulder (bottlenecked case). I don't use an ink pad. I have never been able to keep it clean and the junk on the pad sticks to the case and could scratch the die.

 

[~z]

Artherd, shoot your dents out, probably not with a max load, but not necessaraly a "reduced" load, midline stuff. Fire one and look for signs.
~z

 

[USSR]

As bogie said, use Imperial Sizing Die Wax.

Don

 

[armedandsafe]

Imperial Sizing Wax. I finally had to buy my 5th can last year. Since 1948. I have found that it has given me the most consistent results of anything else I've tried.

Pops

 

[MAUSER88]

I've ben using the LEE lube since 1984. I'll have to give the Imperial stuff a try.

 

[artherd]

Thank's guys I'll use a starting load in the dended cases and see if that does the trick.

Ordered a tub of Imperial Sizing Wax today!

 

[Randy in Arizona]

The guy that showed me how to reload used Crisco to lube the cases he sized. It does wipe off easily!

I have tried RCBS lube, works fine but is rather difficult to wipe off.

Tried Dillon spray lube but the spray can clogged.

Currently using PAM cooking spray for straight sided pistol cases.

I'll try to find some of the Imperial Sizing Die Wax for the bottle necked cases.

 

[Berek]

This sounds like an issue that I had with my .300WSM and Lee dies. When I applied a touch too much pressure, the shoulder would "sag" to one side, deforming the shoulder.

Simply, I was screwing the die in too much. Lee confirmed this and told me to use what I found and disregarded the printed instructions for this step.

Berek